How To Use A Second Receiver As An Amp (4 Easy Steps With Tips)

The receiver is the first name that comes to your mind when setting up a home theatre. Right? But when you plan to use a second receiver as an amplifier, it can be quite hard …

How To Use A Second Receiver As An Amp

The receiver is the first name that comes to your mind when setting up a home theatre. Right? But when you plan to use a second receiver as an amplifier, it can be quite hard to understand for you.

So, you must know how to use a second receiver as an amp?

First, connect cables from your new receiver output to the old receiver multi channel inputs. Then, select the right playback mode to avoid intermediary filtering. Lastly, designate how many incoming channels you intend to amplify in your receiver.

That’s not the end. If you want to know in more detail, keep reading till the end of our article. You’ll learn everything that will be needed to make your job easier.

So let’s start!

How To Use A Second Receiver As An Amp?

Before you get to know the steps on how to add a second amplifier, you should clear the concept of amplifier and receiver. So, let’s get a brief overview of the receiver and power amplifier.

What Is a Receiver?

A receiver is also an amplifier that has a built-in radio section. This radio is like any other input system, but you’ll only need a pair of speakers without any other connection. If you have any home cinema amplifier with a built-in radio, it’s an AV receiver.

If you’re an audio head, an AV receiver will be your first choice for setting up your home theater. Because its performance is excellent and brings a surround sound arrangement together in your theater.

Not only, the AV receivers convenient, but they’re also versatile. You can enjoy amazing functionalities and features as a tuner, input selection, preamp, radio, volume control, etc.

Otherwise, the AV receiver has HDMI inputs. It’s quite handy and supported with many electronic devices for the audio/video interface.

What Is an Amp?

What Is an Amp?

An amplifier or amp is an electronic device that helps to turn weak electrical signals from the source into a stronger signal’s magnitude. Basically, amplifiers boost the signal’s voltage/current/ power supply and power your one or several speakers.

This input signal power increases at a level that easily supports most output devices such as speakers, headphones, etc.

You won’t get the features and functions or any additional connections in a power amp like an AV receiver. Otherwise, it has the power switch and primary gain control, the only control in the Power amp.

Amp functions are divided into two important sections. One is generally referred to as a preamplifier which allows you to select and collate several inputs. It also allows you to select and achieve your required level of power.

The other amp is good at ‘heavy lifting’. It is called a Power amplifier because it adds gain to the signals used to power your multiple speakers. If you have questions about speaker than you can visit our blog to know more popular topics about speakers.

Steps To Use Second Receiver As An Amp

If you want a temporary set up in your home theater or want to check out how a second receiver can act as an Amp, then follow the steps

Step 1: Connect Cables

Connect the cable between your new receiver’s output and the old receiver’s multichannel analog source input.

Step 2: Choose Accurate Play Mode

Next, choose the right playback mode using the old receiver’s remote control or control buttons on the front panel. It will ensure circumvent the digital processing and proper signal playback so you won’t face any intermediary processing or filtering of the signals.

Step 3: Designate the number of incoming channels.

Now, use your existing receiver’s Listening Channel Select control to designate the number of incoming channels that you want to amplify. You can choose any number from 2 to 8.

Step 4: Visit Expert Setup Menu

Lastly, go to the Expert Setup menu and choose the Multi-Channel In option. After that, select Through output mode from there.

However, you may need to slightly alternate the steps because connection options vary in the receiver depending on its model and design. If your audio equipment is well known, working with its connection option will not be a big issue.

Otherwise, if you’ve no idea about what to do, go through the receiver’s user manual. Or, you can contact the brand’s customer care support and get their guidance to solve your problem.

When Should You Not Use A Second Receiver As A Power Amp?

Though a second receiver works well as an Amp, if your audio equipment or speakers need much power, the receivers can’t afford it. So you won’t get enough loud or clear sound in speakers that should come. So you should not use a second receiver in the following aspects.

  • If you want to listen to loud music and fill the room with audio.
  • If you intend to drive efficiently extreme powerful speakers
  • If your home theater is quite big and you want to achieve high sustained sound pressure levels.

Quick Tips For You

If you’re unsure whether the second receiver is ideal for using an amp, you can follow the tips to clear your confusion.

  • Follow the product manual or behind the packaging where it’s mentioned how much power the set of speakers requires.
  • You won’t require vast power if you don’t use the max speaker’s volume. Thus you can easily use a second receiver.
  • AV receivers will work great if you’re happy with a normal range of audio performance and budget-friendly solutions.

FAQ’s

Do you need an amp with a receiver?

No. The AV receiver has an Integrated Amplifier. So you won’t need any External Power Amplifier with it. The receiver can receive the audio signal, process it, and amplify it to the output devices.

Do amplifiers sound better than receivers?

High-powered amplifiers certainly have clearer and better sound quality. But the AV receiver’s output doesn’t depend on power as it receives audio and video sounds.

Can I use a second receiver as an amp

Yes, you can use a second receiver as an amp. But it is not a permanent and effective solution.

How do I connect a second amplifier to my receiver?

You should connect the cables with the amplifier outputs to the receiver’s multichannel input to solve your issue.

Conclusion

Finally, we reached our final words. So here was everything on how to use a second receiver as an amp. Although you won’t get a professional setup, it’ll work! You can successfully use your second receiver as an amplifier following our easy steps.

Hope you got your answer and know what to do next.

So good luck!

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